Reading concluded 2009 with a 4-1 West Country drubbing at the hands of Plymouth Argyle. The Pilgrims, who lay below Reading in the Championship table at the start of the game showed Brian McDermott’s men that their impressive Boxing Day win at Cardiff City was not a fluke. A brace from Alan Judge and further goals from Kari Arnason and Ashley Barnes completed a miserable end to the year for Reading. In response to the Plymouth avalanche Reading’s consolation goal, was bagged by Gylfi Sigurdsson.
Reading completed their final league game at the Madejski Stadium of 2009, with a 1-1 draw against Swansea City. Swansea grabbed seven minutes before half time through Darren Pratley, but Reading were able to peg back the Swans during first half injury time thanks to a brilliant free kick from Gylfi Sigurdsson. The match left Reading with a record of just three league wins at the Madejski Stadium in 2009.
After a turbulent week that saw Brendan Rodgers leave the Madejski Stadium, Reading fans were given something to cheer about against Bristol City when Simon Church bagged a dramatic late equaliser. Bristol City had taken the lead on 12 minutes when Paul Hartley had scored a penalty. Reading though proved tenacious in their approach to City and that attitude certainly paid off in the dying moments of the game.
A Grzegorz Raisak goal was not enough to give Reading a win against Scunthorpe United. Despite Reading’s domination in the game, The Iron left the Madejski Stadium with a 1-1 draw thanks to a goal ten minutes from time by Gary Hooper. The draw was a disappointing one for Brendan Rodgers and Reading, as their wretched home form continued to frustrate the Reading faithful.
Reading’s quest to eradicate their poor home form in 2009 brought them to a meeting at the Madejski Stadium against Neil Warnock’s Crystal Palace. Palace has had their problems of late, but those problems have mainly been concentrated off the pitch. A 3-0 hiding at the hands of Doncaster Rovers on Saturday at Selhurst Park cannot have helped matters though. Reading had a much better tale to tell in their respective clash with a Yorkshire side, namely their impressive 2-0 victory against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.
Royals legend Steve Coppell was one of England's most gifted wingers, who went on to become a successful manager at club level. Following Coppell's resignation as Reading manager in May 2009, author Stuart Roach went on a journey to discover the real Steve Coppell.
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